New Bedford MA vs Plymouth MN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 79,526 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 40.7 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 13.6% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 6.0% | 5.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 4.7% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Plymouth
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,467 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $514,358 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1992 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.5% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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